Trans Nzoia County has commended the national government for including it in the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase 2 (KISIP 2), specifically its new Component 3, which targets rural informal settlements. This initiative is designed to address land tenure regularization and infrastructure development in underserved areas, expanding beyond urban settlements.
Focus on Rural Settlements
Janerose Nasimiyu Mutama, the County Executive Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, described Component 3 as a transformative addition.
“This component is a game-changer. It seeks to improve and upgrade informal settlements in rural areas, which often face more severe challenges than urban centers,” she said during a validation meeting for the situational analysis report.
Ms. Nasimiyu stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of informal settlements to prevent future slum development, saving future governments significant resources.
Aligning with County Plans
The validation meeting, facilitated by Geo Dev Consultancy, brought together stakeholders and technical officers to ensure alignment with Trans Nzoia’s County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and the Governor’s manifesto.
“This report will serve future generations. Even if leadership changes, the vision and work done today will remain pivotal in transforming lives,” Ms. Nasimiyu added.
Sustainable Strategies
Edith Baraza, Trans Nzoia’s KISIP 2 County Coordinator, outlined the meeting’s objective to refine sustainable strategies for slum prevention and upgrading.
“This component recognizes that addressing existing slums is not enough; we need strategies to prevent their proliferation,” she noted, expressing gratitude to the national government for selecting Trans Nzoia as a pilot county.
Key Validation Areas
Geo Dev Consultant Team Leader Titus Musungu detailed six areas under validation, including the county’s socio-economic profile, current informal settlement conditions, drivers of slum proliferation, and ongoing interventions by state and non-state actors.
“Following validation, we will conduct a visioning exercise to map out where Trans Nzoia should be in 20 to 30 years concerning slum prevention and upgrading,” said Mr. Musungu.
National Perspective
Sally Lesas, the National KISIP 2 representative for Component 3, emphasized the validation process’s alignment with the recently approved National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy.
“This document will be a critical tool for Trans Nzoia. Collaborative efforts between the county government and consultants will ensure the best outcomes,” she said, highlighting the upcoming dissemination of the strategy.
Addressing Food Security Concerns
Chief Officer for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, Dr. Roselyne Nasiebanda, emphasized the importance of the validation process in mitigating slum proliferation.
“Slum development in rural areas poses a significant threat to food security, especially in Trans Nzoia County, which serves as the country’s breadbasket,” she warned.
The meeting reaffirmed a collective commitment to sustainable development and equitable living conditions, with the national and county governments working together to ensure lasting solutions for informal settlements.
